'Young people don't necessarily say: 'I'm a Republican or I'm a Democrat,'' says Cameron Kinvig, 27. 'People want to know more about the candidates.'

Kensley Stewart of Irving thinks that Texas is in pretty good shape and sees no reason for a change in leadership. 'We need to keep doing what we've been doing.'

Texans are bucking tradition in the matchup between Republican
Rick Perry and Democrat Bill White.

Women, Hispanics, young urbanites and upbeat voters are highly
sought-after in elections, and most tend to lean Democratic.

But voter frustrations at Democratic-controlled Washington have
fueled predictions of a Republican outpouring in November, even in
state races, boosting Perry's re-election bid.

A recent Dallas Morning News poll gives him a solid but not
insurmountable 7-point lead over White.

The Texas economy, which generally has fared better than other
states, has helped lift Perry among all constituencies. He's ahead
among the types of voters who generally turn out in large numbers
on Election Day.

And while Perry - Texas' longest-serving governor - got a mixed
job-approval score from those polled, he's benefiting from a
feeling among most voters that the state is headed in the right
direction.

White, a former mayor of Houston, said he has plenty of time to
catch up, and the survey found that most voters who know him like
him.

But he's struggling to defend groups that Democrats usually
carry.

The News' pollster, Mickey Blum, said that to win, Perry should
keep hammering the Texas vs. Washington themes, while "White needs
keep it local." Women

Both parties are pushing for Hispanic votes, but it's especially
critical for White.

The challenge, said Mickey Blum, pollster for The Dallas Morning
News , is ginning up enthusiasm.

"The problem for White - and for many Democrats this year - will
be getting their vote out. Will the Hispanic vote turn out?" she
said.

The Perry camp also is looking to bolster his standing among
Hispanics, not only to pad his overall re-election numbers but also
to help his national profile. George W. Bush claimed support from
more than 40 percent of the Hispanic vote in his last governor's
campaign.

Garcia said many Hispanics aren't familiar with White, the
former Houston mayor. But he hopes general dismay with Perry will
draw them out.

It's motivated him. Garcia said Perry has an abysmal record in
promoting education for minorities, alleviating child hunger and
increasing jobs at the border.

"Texas has been a joke when it comes to Rick Perry. White has
not only done a good job in Houston, he's surrounded himself with
Latinos and brought them into power."

Stepped-up appeals

Both parties are courting Hispanics, who are squarely behind the
Democrat.

Perry, 24%

White, 52% Young voters Democrat Barack Obama's 2008
presidential victory energized young voters like no candidate in
recent memory. If Cameron Kinvig has his way, this time they'll
line up for Rick Perry.

Kinvig, a Dallas bankruptcy lawyer who helps run the Dallas
County Young Republicans, thinks the Republican governor is the new
standard-bearer for many young Texans.

The anti-Washington sentiment that has fed the tea party
movement extends to young urban dwellers, he said. Perry is reaping
the benefits.

"A lot of young voters and Republicans are in their first jobs
and they are getting their paychecks and seeing these taxes being
taken out," said Kinvig, 27. "And they are thinking: 'The
government takes out how much?' "

Traditionally a Democratic bulwark, young voters favor Bill
White in the latest poll, but many are gravitating to Perry.

Jeriva Traylor, vice president of the Dallas County Young
Democrats, acknowledged that party loyalists are not as excited as
two years ago. But she dismissed the idea that young voters were
shifting to the GOP.

"They are very much interested in the same issues: health care,
college tuition, knowing the candidates," said Traylor, 35, a
counselor.

"What the Democrats represent on those issues is still a
powerful draw."

And Dallas Democrats are pushing this message, stamped on blue
wrist bands: "Vote again in 2010."

Kinvig said Perry has more appeal and is seen as "caring about
Texas first and foremost."

The local GOP club is part politics, part urban social hub. It
has about 150 active members, many in bustling Uptown. They often
meet at bars and collaborate on Facebook and Twitter.

That independent lifestyle translates to politics.

"Young people don't necessarily say: 'I'm a Republican or I'm a
Democrat,' " Kinvig said. "People in my generation don't
necessarily do that. People want to know more about the
candidates."

Divided loyalties

Young voters, under 30, who flocked to the Obama ticket in 2008
are split.

Yet Stewart cites one big reason why he is sticking with the
Republican governor: the economy.

"He's not the perfect governor, but ...Texas is in pretty good
shape. We need to keep doing what we've been doing," said Stewart,
49, of Irving, who works for a health care company.

Stewart's support provides insight into one of Perry's core
election strengths: Almost half of the voters surveyed say the
state is headed in the right direction. And of those, more than
two-thirds are Perry backers.

That's bad news for Democratic foe Bill White who is trying to
persuade voters to make a change at the top.

But Perry - buoyed by low unemployment compared with other
states - has hammered home the notion that Texas has weathered the
recession relatively well.

That message has resonated among voters like Stewart, who is
active in local GOP politics.

He said anti-Washington sentiment has galvanized Republicans.
And the Texas economy has energized them to vote for Perry.

"Look at other states," he said. "It's nice just knowing that
we're not circling the drain waiting on the last dollar to be spent
like other places."

Sunny side up

Upbeat voters say the state's headed in the right direction,
thanks to Perry.

Perry, 68%

White, 31% ABOUT THE POLL

A phone survey was conducted Sept. 15-22 of 629 likely voters by
Blum & Weprin Associates Inc. for The Dallas Morning News. The
margin of error was plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. Numbers
have been rounded, and those backing another candidate are not
included. KEY DATES